User:Ambystoma/sandbox

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Thanatosis (from Greek adjective θανàτωσιs meaning "putting to death") is the process by which an animal feigns death in order to evade predation. It is a phenomenon known in invertebrates such as the Hymenoptera Nasonia vitripennis[1] and the Orthoptera Gryllus bimaculatus[2], but also in vertebrates such as Didelphis marsupialis[3].

[edit] References

  1. ^ King, B.; H. Leaich (2006). "Variation in Propensity to Exhibit Thanatosis in Nasonia vitripennis (Hymenoptera: Pteromalidae)". Journal of Insect Behaviour 19 (2): 241-249. 
  2. ^ Nishino, H. (2004). "Motor output characterizing thanatosis in the cricket Gryllus bimaculatus". Journal of Experimental Behaviour 207: 3899-3915. 
  3. ^ Francq, E. (1969). "Behavioural aspects of feigned death in the opossum Didelphis marsupialis". American Midwest Naturalist 81: 556-568. 

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